The Chicago-based Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) unveiled the 2026 Visionary Awards Lifetime Achievement Honorees and Professional Excellence Awards Finalists in mid-March. The Visionary Awards spotlight individuals and organizations whose ideas, leadership, and commitment to excellence are advancing the global business events community. These leaders will be honored at the Visionary Awards ceremony on May 7 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., during PCMA’s Business Events Industry Week.
“The Visionary Awards are more than a celebration of individual achievement—they are a reflection of the collective progress and purpose of our global community,” says Sherrif Karamat, PCMA’s president and CEO, in a prepared statement. “Each of this year’s honorees and finalists represents the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and service that defines our community. Through the PCMA Foundation, we are proud to recognize these leaders while investing in the next generation of professionals who will carry our community forward.”
The Lifetime Achievement Honorees are those who have made a lasting impact on the business events community through leadership, mentorship, and sustained contributions to advancing the profession. The honorees are as follows:
- Carolyn B. Pund, Strategic Meetings Management Consultant, OneMoreEvent Consulting (San Francisco)
- Dave Lutz, Managing Director, Velvet Chainsaw Consulting (Aurora, Ohio)
- Angie Ranalli, Senior National Sales Director, San Diego Tourism Authority
- Charles Starks, President and CEO, Music City Center (Nashville, Tennessee)
The Professional Excellence Awards honor outstanding achievements across several categories. Finalists were selected for their exceptional contributions to strategy, marketing, experience design, digital engagement, and industry leadership. These finalists include:
Business Events Strategist of the Year
- Mindy Grubb, Vice President of Events, eXp Realty (Bellingham, Washington)
- Kyle B. Morris, Vice President, NMR Events (Monroe Township, New Jersey)
- Liz Nacron, Partner and President of Creative and Production, Live Marketing (Evanston, Illinois)
Corporate Event Marketer of the Year
- Adele Durham, Senior Director of Global Events, Veeam Software (Seattle)
- Kim Hastings, Director of Event Marketing, Procore Technologies Inc. (Carpinteria, California)
- Keri Ibbitson, Senior Director of Global Scientific Engagement and Events, Danaher Corp. (Washington, D.C.)
Digital Experience Strategist of the Year
- Uzi Drori, Chief Information Officer and Chief Technology Officer, Kenes Group (Geneva)
- Dahlia El Gazzar, Chief Ruckusmaker, DAHLIA+Agency (Boston)
- Kimberly Inniger, Senior Events and Outreach Manager, ORCID (Bethesda, Maryland)
Experience Design of the Year
- Sina Bünte, Founder, digitalmind.events
- Kimberly Keating, Director of Conference Education, Viticus Group (Las Vegas)
- David T. Stevens, Wellness Architect, Olympian Meeting (Lago Vista, Texas)
Groundbreaker Award
- Bianca DeStout, Senior Sales Manager, Visit Cincy (Cincinnati)
- Kyle Jordan, Director of Meetings, Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (Catonsville, Maryland)
- Nuria Fernández Roldán, Online Learning Specialist, Kenes Group (Geneva)
Impact Award
- Bianca DeStout, Senior Sales Manager, Visit Cincy (Cincinnati)
- Elena Fis, Sustainability Manager, Kenes Group (Geneva)
- Joyce Leveston, CEO, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York (New York City)
Outstanding Service to a Chapter or Region
- Carine M. Desroches, Meetings and Events Director, National Kidney Foundation (New York City)
- Melissa Peticolas, Account Executive, Vista Convention Services (Harbor Township, New Jersey)
- Lindsay Williams, Senior Manager of Business Development, Global Experience Specialists (Las Vegas)
Supplier of the Year
- Lori Adlesick, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Events, Choose Chicago
- Joy Cmiel, Senior Vice President, ConferenceDirect (Folsom, California)
- Karen Staples, Managing Director of Sales, Visit Salt Lake (Salt Lake City)
